Pick course over college, say experts on Day 1 of HT’s counselling session

Gargi College principal Shashi Tyagi, Mayanka Gupta from the Lady Irwin College and career counsellor and founder-director of Career Smart Usha Albuquerque answered students’ questions related to the admission process.

A student at a counselling session for college admissions held at YWCA in New Delhi on Saturday.(Saumya Khandelwal/ Hindustan Times)

Delhi University aspirants should pick the course they want to build a future in rather than just opting for a well-known college, experts told students at HT’s Campus Calling Counselling Session 1 on Saturday.

With less than 10 days left for the last date of DU’s application process, students flocked to the session held at YWCA, Ashoka Road, between 11 am and 2 pm.

Gargi College principal Shashi Tyagi, Mayanka Gupta from the Lady Irwin College and career counsellor and founder-director of Career Smart Usha Albuquerque answered questions related to the admission process.

Most students wanted to know if they should choose college over course or pick the best course in a less popular college. “Should I go for a popular college and get admission in whatever course I am getting or should I take admission in the best course,” asked Ritika, a DU aspirant.

Experts suggested that if a student is sure about what course she wants to pursue and build a career then she should pick the course in whichever college she gets admission in with her marks. “But if you are not sure about exact course you want to pursue then pick the best college you can get with your marks,” said Albuquerque.

Some students wanted to know the difference between a B Com (Pass) and B Com (Honors). “While in Honors course you will get you study more topics focusing on Commerce, in the Pass course you will have the options of studying different topics,” said Tyagi.

Experts cautioned students against dropping a year for preparing for competitive exam and advised students to take admission in the best institute and course available to them. “I don’t think it is advisable to drop a year because you don’t know what might be your result next year,” said Albuquerque.

Queries asked

Q: Is it a good idea to wait for second cut-off and try to get admission in a better college?

A: It is better to secure admission in a college under the first cut-off. Many colleges don’t even come out with a second cut-off list for many courses. If you do get through a better college in second cut-off then withdraw first admission and go to another college.

Q: What is the procedure to apply under Sports and Extra Curricular Activities (ECA) quota?

A: Students will have to register using the centralised online registration form available on the university website. Then students will have to appear for trials at colleges and submit certificates. Based on marks received in trials and certificates, student will be allotted admission.

Q: What is the difference between pursuing a course from a popular one and from a lesser-known college?

A: There is no difference in doing a course from either a popular college or a lesser known college if you excel in the course. A student needs to do her best in the course he or she opts for.

Q: Does DU’s School of Open Learning offer Science courses?

A: No, SOL does not offer Science courses at the undergraduate level.

Key pointers

DU’s online admission, which began on June 1, will continue till June 19

Registration for all categories including Sports, Extra Curricular Activities (ECA), Kashmiri Migrants, and CW (Defence) will be completely online.

First cut-off list will be out on June 27

Students can take admission under this list till June 30

Second list will be out on July 1

DU will bring out only five cut-off lists this year

Aspirants have to log on to the DU portal (www.du.ac.in) to register and fill the application form

Students will have to upload a copy of self attested marksheets of Classes 10 and 12 and reserved category certificate